I am a Shia and have this doubt about Ahl ul-Sunnah, and no Sunni Mufti is agreeing to answer a few questions. I have, such as amongst the companions Abu Bakr is viewed as the most superior on account of his closeness to the Prophet . If this is indeed the case then why did the Prophet not select him to be his brother when he divided the companions in to pairs on the Day of Brotherhood? Rather, the Prophet chose Ali saying “You are my brother in this world and the next”, so on what basis is Abu Bakr closer? See the History of the Caliphs who took the right way, by Jalaladeen Suyuti, English translation by Abdassamad Clarke p177, (Taha publishers).

Fatwa:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The excellence of Abu Bakr over all other companions is something on which the Muhaajireen (those who migrated from Makkah to Madeenah) and the Ansaar (the citizens of Madeenah who helped and gave aid to the Muhaajireen) agreed in a consensus. Ibn ‘Umar narrated: “During the reign of the Prophet we were not used to equal anyone to Abu Bakr, then to ‘Umar then to ‘Uthamaan and then we did not distinguish between the remaining companions [considered the rest as equal in rank].“ [Al-Bukhaari]

Moreover, Al-Bayhaqi reported that Al-Shaafi’ee said:’None of the companions nor their righteous followers differed with regard to the preference of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar over all other companions ; nonetheless some of them differed in relation to ‘Ali and ‘Uthmaan as to whom is better than the other.‘

Indeed, there are many texts [evidences] which prove the excellence and preference of Abu Bakr over all other companions in excellence and as a caliph; we are going to mention some of them. The Prophet said: “If I were to take an intimate friend, I would have taken Abu Bakr as one, but he is my brother and my companion.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] It is also confirmed that ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas asked the Prophet :”Who is the dearest person to you?” He replied: “‘Aa’ishah.” I asked: “And among men? He said: “Her father.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]Furthermore, ‘Aa’ishah narrated: “When the Prophet was ill during his death sickness, when it was time for the prayer and the call to the prayer was made, He said: “Order Abu Bakr to lead the Muslims in prayers.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

As regards the narration that you mentioned in the question, it is reported by At-Tirmithi that the Prophet said to ‘Ali, : “You are my brother in this world and in the Hereafter.”Some scholars classified the narrators of this narration to be weak. Even if we presume that this narration is authentic, the most that could be said about it is that it proves the excellence of ‘Ali this is a matter that no one doubts. Indeed there are many texts about his excellence and virtues.

However, in the above narration there is nothing that suggests that he is better than Abu Bakr and this is not a defect or imperfection to Abu Bakr because if it was the case, it would be said; why didn’t ‘Ali accompany the Prophet when he migrated, and why the Prophet did not say: “I would have taken ‘Ali as a close friend Instead of Abu Bakr. “, and so forth.

Therefore, the excellence and preference of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, over other companions is evident, and Abu Bakr is the best of all other companions without exception. This is indeed what ‘Ali himself believed in and said. ‘Abdullaah Ibn Salam ah narrated: “I heard ‘Ali saying: “The best of the people after the Prophet is Abu Bakr and the best of the people after Abu Bakr is ‘Umar .“[Ibn Maajah]

Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) relates that on one occasion Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) came to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said to him: انت عتيق من النار(You are Ateeq [the one who has gained emancipation and freedom] from the fire of Jahannum). Thereafter, he became renowned with the title Al-Ateeq.

How did he receive the title As-Siddeeq:

Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) reports that on the occasion of Me’raj, when Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was taken by night from Musjid Haraam to Musjid Aqsa (and thereafter to the seven heavens), upon his return he informed the people of Makkah regarding the miraculous journey during the night. The people of Makkah doubted the words of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and thus began ridiculing him. Some people even reneged from Islam, who previously had believed in Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Nevertheless, when Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) was informed by certain people (trying to provoke Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu)) regarding what had transpired, he responded by saying: “Indeed I fully testify to what Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said. When I have believed him in matters which are uncomprehendible and unfathomable to the human mind (i.e. matters relating to the Aakhirat), I believe him night and day regarding the revelation he receives from the unseen, Why should I then doubt him in this matter?” It was after this incident that he received the title As-Siddeeq. [2]